VERO BEACH — More than 200 tennis fans braved the late summer heat to watch some high-caliber tennis at The Vero Beach Tennis Club and Fitness at Timber Ridge.
The exhibition featured members of the Mexican Davis Cup team, as well as local teaching professionals and amateurs, all who came out to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentoring group serving children on the Treasure Coast.
Timber Ridge has been a popular tennis venue in Vero for many years. Recently, the club was bought by several tennis professionals from Mexico, including Jorge Lozano, the current captain of the Mexican Davis Cup team, and Marco Osorio, the coach of the team.
The club, which has 15 courts, has been renovated and updated, is the home of the Lozano Osorio Tennis Academy.
September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness month, and tennis is the perfect sport to get kids active, so the owners are sponsoring a free tennis play day on Sept. 29 for Indian River County children.
On a cloudless, sweltering morning, players endured two hours of late summer heat to raise money for local children.
Barbeque and lemonade from Bono’s was sold to spectators, with proceeds going to the Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Scot Wilke, owner of Bono’s, performed sweat equity, as well, playing as one of the amateurs in the event.
“We are so very grateful for all the support we’ve received through this wonderful event,” said Judi Miller, chief executive officer of the Big Brothers Big Sisters leadership team. “Proceeds from the tournament will be dedicated to our TEAM (Tennis, Education & Mentoring Program), a collaborative effort with the Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County.”
Vero is town full of generous tennis players and Saturday, many of them braved the sun for a good cause.
“The matches were excellent, and so was the friendship and the camaraderie. Tennis players in this town are ‘brothers-in-arms,’ and always have respect for each other,” said Vero resident and spectator Art Gonsky.
“It’s a great way to support the charity and welcome the new people to town,” said Quail Valley tennis pro Kriegler Brink, referring to the club’s new owners. “It’s very exciting, not just for junior tennis players, but for the whole community.”
His doubles partner, Robert Kowalczyk, the Moorings tennis pro and Vero Beach High School alumnus agreed. “We support Big Brothers Big Sisters. It’s been a great event.”
Boo Graves, a Vero Beach native and a self-described “hacker,” said just finishing was a victory for him. “I’m here for the fun of it,” he laughed. “These guys were very gracious and very good. I was the oldest guy here.”
